Author Notes:
	Okay, looks like things are working somewhat.  Here's the two
chapters I wrote while the list was down.  Since I didn't get C&C for
chapter 1 (big surprise) I decided to just post it as a whole.
	I think I'll keep future chapters to myself until I decide it's
getting read.  I still have the Xian sketch to finish and ANK1 to revise.
	Busy weekend for me, see ya later.
	As always, http://www.imua.com/mousse/work/ is where old stuff can
be found.  This version is more current than the one there, but you can
still look at the GIFs.  Xian.GIF is up, but it's a unlisted temp until I
finish.



Ai No Kodomo 2: The Summer of Love


Chapter 1 - Seeing Green

[...]

	Mousse flicked the envelope off into the distance.  Its flight path
curved up, displaying its flat side.  A fiercely thrown blade nailed the
letter to the wall.  He closed his eyes and sat back in his chair, a sigh
escaping his lips.

	The Nekohanten was silent, its lights dim.  Ukyou entered the
dining area quietly and walked up to Mousse brooding at a table.  He
softened at her touch and turned to gaze into her gentle features.

	"I'm sorry, I couldn't sleep."

	"Looking forward to your trip?"

	Mousse shuddered.  "That's one way of putting it."

	"Don't worry, I managed my place for years."

	"I know, I know.  It's not the restaurant I'm worried about."

	Ukyou rubbed his shoulders gently.  "What is it then?"

	Mousse took a deep breath before answering.  "It's the old hag.
This trip is her chance to put the pressure on me.  Even if she didn't plan
it, I know she'll use the oppertunity."

	"Not the heir thing again?"

	He nodded with a sigh.  "I don't want anything to do with it.
Spice hasn't shown any interest in marriage and Xian hasn't shown interest
in anything.  I mean if just one of them was dating, that would be enough
to keep her off my back."

	"What can she do to you?"

	"Alot.  I can already tell.  She's going to want me to send one of
them back in the village engaged as soon as possible.  I probably won't
even have a say in it.  If things back home are bad enough, I might have to
send one of the kids back with or without an engagement."

	Ukyou gave him a little hug and took his hand.  "Well don't worry
about it yet, I'm sure things will work out for the best.  Come back to
bed.  You can worry some more in the morning."

	Mousse managed a slight smile and followed Ukyou from the dining
area.  Spice waited for them to leave before moving from her hiding place
behind the counter.  She had been trapped while sneaking back in from a
late night prowl.

	Her blank expression turned to a mischievious grin as she headed
back to her room for the night.  She wouldn't get much sleep, there was too
much planning to do.

	The dinning room was silent once again.  Xian took note of that
from the kitchen doorway as he resumed his assault on a leftover chicken
wing.

[...]

	*chittt* *chittt*

	Kune could hear the music coming from Yoshiki's headset.  It was
some sort of rock song he couldn't make out.  Kune shook his head and
turned to his friend Toshi.  "So where do you guys want to eat?"

	Toshi shrugged.  "How about the Nekohanten?"

	Kune shook his head violently.  "I'm not falling for that one again."

	"Hey man, just because you can't look at that Spice girl doesn't
mean me and Yosh have to be left out in the cold."

	"No way, Megumi would never go for it."

	"Oh alright, how about pizza then?"

	Kune considered it for a moment and started nodding his head.
"Pizza sounds pretty good now that you mention it.  Any ideas where?"

	"How about Mama Mishima's Pizzaria?"

	Kune sighed in relief.  "Finally, a plan.  Now we just have to wait
for Megumi."

	Yoshiki pulled his earphones down around his neck and added his
piece.  "Plus I hear the delivery girl is pretty cute.  Right Tosh?"

	*chittt* *chittt*

	Kune gave Toshi a quick jab to the shoulder and pointed his finger
at him accusingly.  "That's the kind of thing I was talking about.  I get
into more trouble around you two.  I used to think it was bad luck or
something."

	"Hey, just because your single life is over doesn't mean it's over
for me and Yosh.  Man, you're so paranoid Kunchan.  You think Megumi's
around every corner or something..."

	"Did I hear my name?"  Megumi broke in with a pleasant tone.

	Toshi gagged audibly.  Yoshiki put his headphones back on and
started whistling.  Kune smiled broadly and moved in to bail his friend
out.  "We were just wondering if you wanted to join us for pizza, dear."

	*chittt* *chittt*

	Megumi smiled and took Kune's hand.  "Sounds good to me."

	Toshi let out a relieved sigh and followed along with Yoshiki in
tow.  The foursome got about a block before Yoshiki elbowed Toshi and
gestured to the rapidly approaching figure.

	It was a girl.  An attractive girl.  An attractive girl on
rollerblades.  She looked to be about their age, light brown hair and fair
skin.  Besides the rollerblades she wore black athletic shorts and green
tank top that clung to her slim athletic figure.  As they approached, Toshi
could have sworn he saw a wicked smile form on her perfect lips.  "Oh my."

	*chittt* *chittt*

	She made no move to avoid them.  Instead she began to pick up speed
and aimed herself right down the middle.  Yoshiki continued his whistling
but took one step to the side.  Megumi and Kune were too busy talking to
each other to notice until she was almost on top of them.

	Like a whirlwind she split the couple down the middle and sent
Toshi flying.  The stranger deftly grabbed Kune on her pass through.  She
held him in her arms as they spun out together, making Kune extremely light
headed.

	Kune was suddenly very much aware of the femanine body pressed up
against him.  For the first time, she spoke.  Her voice was almost hypnotic
in a sensual sort of way.  "My name is Midori, Sanzenin Midori.  Look me up
sometime."

	Before he could mount a protest she kissed him full on the lips and
Kune experienced a sensation not unlike melting.  He'd been kissed before,
but this felt different.  It felt like something that might need further
investigation.

	Megumi stood in a state of shock as she watched her fiance in this
strange girl's embrace.  Just a few seconds prior he had been holding her
hand and looking deeply into her eyes.  She looked down to her hand and
noticed for the first time a small ball with a lighted string attached.  It
grew shorter and shorter until it disappeared completely.

	Midori stopped her spin and shot a quick glance back to Megumi with
Kune still in her arms.  "Oh, I almost forgot.  Happodaikarin dearie."

	*BOOM*

[...]

	"Did you just hear something?"

	Spice shot Seki an annoyed look.  It was their lunch break and the
two of them were spending it out front of the restaurant on makeshift
chairs.  "What?  Nevermind that, important plan stuff now."

	Seki shrugged.  "Okay, so let me get this straight.  You need *my*
help to find *your* brother a girlfriend?  You realize of course that *I*
don't even have a girlfriend yet?"

	Spice rolled her eyes and ran it past him again.  "You know more
girls than me, and you not want girlfriend anyway."

	"Well actually there is this one girl I've been wanting to ask out."

	"Nevermind that now.  Find one girl at a time, need to get Xian
dating before daddy gets back from China."

	Seki turned his attention to the clouds floating overhead.  "If I
help you get Xian a date will you help me afterwards?"

	Spice sat up straight and nodded once.  "If you get Xian date, I
get you date with other girl.  Even if she not agree I make her agree."

	Seki smiled a bit and nodded his consent.  "Okay, well hopefully
it'll be easier than that.  As for Xian, I can think of two possibilities.
The problem is that they're friends so it's one or the other."

	Spice went back to her normal sitting position.  "Who are they?
Can they fight?"

	"You know those two girls that used to come in every week?  The
ones that always ordered gyoza?"

	"Oh, yes.  I saw them around school before, I can take them.  Who
are they?"

	Seki bit his lower lip and started rubbing his chin.  "The one with
short hair is Sakura, I met her after science class once...  She was
waiting for her mother."

	Spice took a sharp breath.  "You mean?"

	"Yeah, it caught me offguard too.  It's not something she
advertises and actually she doesn't know many people anyway.  Everything
considering, I think she turned out pretty well."

	Spice considered for a moment, she wasn't sure she wanted her
brother married that badly.  "How about the other one?"

	Seki flinched.  "Her name is Noriko.  Tendo Noriko..."

	"No!  Absolutely not!  He's still my brother."

	Seki kicked the dust around and stood up.  "Well that's the best I
can do.  Think about it for a bit, and really.. they're both nice girls."

	"Grrrrr."

[...]

	"I'll kill her!"  Ranma watched his eldest daughter storm past him,
her face and clothes covered in black ash.  She was still smoking slightly
which only added to the effect.  "Right after I kill him!"

	Kune dashed in a few seconds behind and stopped to catch his
breath.  Ranma swallowed back his laughter.  "Any words from the condemned?"

	He took a deep breath.  "I swear it wasn't my fault Mr. Saotome,
I've never met that girl before in my life."

	"It happens," Ranma sighed wistfully.  "I'd let her cool down a bit
though."

	Kune sighed.  "I guess you're right, but could you tell her I
stopped by when she does?  I'm going to try and get home before dinner."

	"No problem."  Ranma placed a hand on Kune's shoulder as he turned
to leave.  "By the way, why did my daughter look like Akane's breakfast?"

	Kune shrugged.  "I think she called it a happodaikarin or
something.  I dunno, some sort of explosive."

	Ranma stiffened slightly.  "That can't be right."

	"Huh?"

	"You know something Kune, why don't you stay for dinner," Ranma
steered Kune back into the house.  "I'll have a talk with Megumi and we can
order out tonight.  We're having people over anyway."

[...]

	Akane took a second to straighten her hair before answering the
door.  "Ukyou, come in come in."

	Ukyou kicked her shoes off and gave Akane a quick hug.  "Akane!  So
how's married life treating you?"

	Akane shrugged good naturedly.  "Well if you're still interested in
him I can make you a really good deal."

	"Ooo tempting, but I already have Mousse."

	"Where is he anyway?"

	Ukyou placed a hand to her forehead and sighed dramaticly.  "He's
left me to watch over the kids and the restaurant while he runs away to
China for the summer."

	"Speaking of which, where's Seki."

	"He's getting some food from the restaurant.  What's a little power
if I can't abuse it once and awhile?"

	"We already have pizza on the way.  You didn't have to," Akane scowled.

	"Hey, I wanted to make sure I actually got some food this time."

[...]

	Seki walked down the well lit streets of Nerima on his way to the
Saotome's, a delivery box in each arm.  There was a strange sound that gwas
gradually getting louder and louder.  He stopped to look around but the
streets were empty.

	The sky was getting darker, it looked like it could rain soon.
Seki looked to the sky and wondered idly if he would make it in time.  A
surprised yelp brought his attention back to earth.  He had just rounded a
corner and into the path of a rollerblader holding a long, flat delivery
box.

	Seki threw his arms up but lost his grip on the boxes.  Midori
threw her box up with a flick of her wrist right before colliding with
Seki.  They both tried turning to the side but it was too late.  Midori
grabbed ahold of Seki and tried to spin her way around him but they spun
together.

	Instinctively she let go of Seki and grabbed his two delivery boxes
seconds before they hit the ground, one on each side of him.  He could see
her box falling back to earth and reached out a hand to catch it.

	It was a tribute to his martial arts takeout training that he was
able to do it one handed, although the effort pressed him firmly into
Midori who was still holding a delivery box in each hand.

	He nearly dropped it as realization dawned on him but Midori, who
was also trained in martial arts takeout, caught it on one of her
rollerblades behind her back.

	Seki turned red and tried to back up with little success.  She had
him trapped with his own delivery boxes.  "Not so fast hot stuff.  I
haven't thanked you yet for saving my pizza."

	"Uh, no problem.. I mean, you caught my boxes.. so I figure we're
um.. even," Seki began to stammer as she drew closer.

	Midori, slightly out of breath, grinned seductively at him.  "Oh, I
insist."

	With that she wrapped her lips around his and gave him the first
kiss of his life.  His eyes widened and began to water, and he nearly
fainted when she slipped him her tongue.  A few seconds felt like an
eternity, until abruptly she broke the kiss and rolled back a couple feet,
but not before giving Seki a playful lick on the nose.

	"Oh well, I have a pizza to deliver."  She batted her eyelashes at
the catatonic Seki and hung his boxes on outstretched arms.  With one deft
motion she brought the pizza through her legs and kicked it up to her hand.
"Stop by the pizzaria some time, we can do lunch."

	Seki stood motionless as she rolled away, he felt the first drops
of rain as she dissapeared around a corner.  He blinked and touched his
lips, bringing a box to his chest.  "Wow."

[...]



Chapter 2 - Kiss and Makeup

[...]

	Kune was about to take a seat next to Megumi as the old fashioned
door chime went off.  "I guess I'll get it."

	Ranma rubbed his stomache in anticipation.  "If it's the pizza, the
money's by the door."

	Kune walked into the hall and picked up the money by the phone.
The door chime rang a second time as Kune opened the door.  Midori grinned
in recognition.  "Well we meet again."

	Caught offguard, Kune found himself at a loss for words.  He nodded
dumbly as she handed him the pizzas and plucked the bills from his free
hand.  "You know.. if you wanted to see me again, you could have just
asked."

	He felt like he was in vocal limbo, or perhaps his own special
hell.  Fortunately Ranma took this moment to walk in.  "Did you find the
money okay Kune?"

	"Um yeah!  Yes.  Uh, Mr. Saotome.. this is.."

	Midori took the oppertunity to bow deeply.  "Midori.  Sanzenin
Midori.  It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Saotome, my old master used to
speak very highly of you.  Strange though, he never mentioned your boyish
good looks."

	Ranma took a deep breath, sticking his chest out slightly.  "Well I
suppose the training keeps me young."

	The trio could hear Megumi's irritation from the other room.  "Hey,
what's taking so long?"

	Midori made an attempt to look over Kune's shoulder.  "Oh, is that
lovely girlfriend of yours here too?"

	Kune brought the pizzas up, forcing Midori back a step.  "Yes.  No.
I mean, you have to go.  You're very busy and all."

	"Humph," Midori placed her hands behind her back and bowed again.
"Well it was very nice seeing you again 'Kune,' and it was an honor meeting
you Mr. Saotome."

	Ranma nodded and took the pizzas from Kune.  "Nice meeting you too
Midori, we'll have to order pizza more often."

	Kune closed his eyes and began rubbing his head as Ranma walked
back to the dining area.  Midori leaned in close to Kune before leaving.
"Why don't we eat at my place next time.  The pizza's free."

	The door closed as Kune slid to the ground, still rubbing his
forehead.  He was developing a massive headache.

[...]

	Spice snuck up on her brother as the last customer left the
Nekohanten.  He hated it when she did that.  He nearly jumped out of his
chair as she called his name.  "Xian, you know those two girls who came in
this afternoon?"

	He took a couple of breaths to calm himself.  "Um, yeah I think so.
Sakura and what's her name's sister right?"

	"Hai," Spice surpressed a shudder.  "Anyway, they were going to see
a movie this weekend so I thought maybe you go with them.  Make them feel
safer."

	"No thanks.  I have other plans," Xian smiled and turned his
attention to the door.  "Why don't you ask Seki?  He could use a date."

	Spice was noticably irritated when her brother didn't jump at the
chance.  "Seki?  I not think he very interested in girls, and he work
weekends.  Good worker, big help around here not like some people."

	Xian ignored the barb and continued.  "Well I suppose.  He's a nice
guy though, I'd hate to see him burn out.  All work and no play.  He'll
probably snap by the end of summer."

	"I'll find him date after.. I mean later," Spice corrected herself.

	"Why don't you take him to a movie some time," Xian absentmindedly
began tapping out a tune on the table.  "You both have thursdays off."

	"Huh?  What?"  Spice shook her head briskly to shake the cobwebs
away.  "Nevermind Seki, we talk about you now!"

	"Oh, I forgot.  Anyway, like I said.  I have other plans this weekend."

	Xian could see his sister's knuckles turning white.  "What plans?!?
All you do is eat, sleep, and watch kung fu theatre."

	"Very busy this weekend.  Maybe some other time."

	Spice fought back to urge to do bodily harm and stormed off to the
kitchen in a huff.  "Grrrrr."

[...]

	Ukyou walked along in silence.  Occasionally she would look over to
her brother who just stared out into space.  Eventually the still in the
air got the better of her.  "Are you feeling okay Seki?"

	He blinked involuntarily and looked to his older sister.  "Wha?"

	"You barely said two words the whole evening."

	He took a few moments to collect his thoughts.  "Sorry sis.  I
guess I have alot on my mind."

	She could read his face easily.  "Still hung up on her?"

	"It's not her.  Well it is her, but it's not her."

	"Someone else?"  She responded, her curiosity peaked.

	"Yes.. No.. I don't know," Seki rubbed his hands together to help
him think.  "I'm really confused."

	Ukyou put her hands behind her back and got into big sister mode.
"Ah."

	His thoughts turned a few more circles until he found the right
words.  "Okay, it's sort of like I was set on this one person even though I
knew I didn't have a chance with them and now I might, but now there's
another possibility.  So I don't know if I should just keep going the way
I'm going or what.  Do you get what I'm trying to say?"

	"I can imagine," Ukyou gave a wry smile.

	"What do you think I should do?"

	She shook her head and put her hand on his shoulder.  "I really
think you're got the wrong person Seki."

	He looked over to his big sister.  "So you think I should look to
other possibilities?"

	She cocked her head to one side.  "I didn't say that."

	The confusion returned to Seki's face.  "So you think I should keep
trying?"

	Ukyou cocked her head to the other side.  "I didn't say that either."

	Seki sighed and gave up.  "You're a big help sis."

	She grinned and gave him a friendly shake.  "That's what I'm here for."

[...]

	Ukyou threw her towel to the table.  It was the fourth time she'd
wiped it off, not because it got dirty but because she didn't have anything
else to do.  "Damnit, business this week has been lousy!"

	Xian sat back and watched Ukyou's frustration.  He put his feet on
a table and took a bite out of his apple.  "Must be the new pizza place
down by Ucchan's."

	Seki continued to fold napkins for the dining area next to Spice.
The mention of pizza caught his attention.  "Mama Mishima's?"

	Xian lazily took another bite.  "Yeah, that's the one.  I heard
some of the customers talking about it."

	Ukyou could feel the worry lines forming on her brow.  She wasn't
about to face Mousse and tell him she ran his restaurant into the ground.
She hook her head.  "It shouldn't be affecting business like this."

	Seki shrugged and scratched at a stain on one of the napkins.
"I've heard the line down there goes down the block."

	"I've had their pizza, it's okay and all," Ukyou shrugged.  "You
remember that night, don't you Seki?"

	He froze for a second and put down the napkin.  "Umm yeah, sorta."

	Ukyou turned her attention back to Xian who wasfinishing off his
apple.  "Xian, can you do me a favor and check it out for me?  In fact, why
don't you take Seki with you."

	Seki winced at the idea.  "Maybe I should stay here."

	Spice who had ignored most of the conversation perked up at the
oppertunity to speak.  "Not worry, I handle here.  You and Xian go."

	Seki rubbed his palms together which he noticed were starting to
sweat.  "I don't know if that's a good idea."

	Spice leaned over a bit so only Seki could hear her.  "Very good
idea, that way you can talk to Xian about dating."

	Xian smiled to himself, he was 12 when his father taught him to
read lips.  Xian decided the afternoon might not be a total waste afterall.
"Okay Seki, let's go."

[...]

	Kune was starting to worry.  It had been a good five minutes since
he'd seen Megumi last.  It was more than enough time to completely lose his
bearings and his financee.  They had been walking to the dojo, that much he
knew.

	As far as he could surmise, he was somewhere in the business
district.  He originally planned to have dinner with the Saotomes but it
wasn't the first time something like this had happened.  He hoped they
understood.

	He took another turn and was suddenly hit by the smell of fresh
baked pizza.  It drew him forward like a moth to a flame.  He went on a
morning jog with Megumi, and for some reason they didn't make it back in
time for breakfast.

	Midori spotted him immediately.  Sometimes it just seemed too easy
for her.  The moment he got in range, she skated a quick circle around him.

	The moment Kune spotted her he knew he was doomed, but it was
already too late.  His stomache had already led him into the lion's den.
He sighed quietly and hoped that he could at least get a last meal.

[...]

	Seki's line of thought ran askew as they saw the crowd around the
pizzaria.  It was to round to be a line, it was too big to be nothing.
>From the sound, Seki could guess it was a fight.  Seki and Xian exchanged
glances before rushing over into the mass of people.

	After a bit of pushing and shoving, they got ringside of the fray.
Kune waved them over as he ate his pizza.  "Hey Seki, have a seat.  They're
just getting started."

	Seki took up a seat at Kune's table, just a few feet from the
combatants.  Xian simply hovered nearby and looked over the situation.
"Doesn't this bother you?"

	Kune sighed and picked up another slice.  "A little, but it's not
like they would listen to reason."

	Megumi was getting upset, and when she got upset her ability to
fight was questionable.  It was something she'd been meaning to work on, at
the moment that meant trying to win the fight.  "I know what you're trying
to do you slut."

	"Slut?  Well perhaps it would take one to know one."

	Megumi responded with an overhead kick which shattered the table,
Kune and Seki were sitting at.  Kune, who saw it coming, picked up the
pizza pan before the table gave way.  "Oww oww oww, hot!  Hey Seki, hold
this for a second will ya?"

	Seki caught the pan and fumbled it from hand to hand.  Xian watched
as Kune grabbed another chair for Seki to drop it on.  When he turned his
attention back to the fighting, he realized he was standing right in the
middle of it.

	Midori was making it a point to use him as a human shield.  Xian
dodged every one of Megumi's blows, forcing Midori to do likewise.  Midori
placed her hands on Xian's shoulders and peered over when she could.  "My
what strong shoulders you have."

	The annoyance was plain on Xian's face as she continued.  "Save me
kind sir.  I can make it worth your while."

	Megumi was getting annoyed as well.  "You're Spice's brother right?
Why don't you get out of my way so I can finish this."

	"What's all this about?"

	"My fiance and that slut were kissing," her punches getting more
erratic.

	Xian casually dodged.  "Is that it?"

	"I need to settle the score!"

	"Well if that's all you want," with that Xian parried one of
Megumi's punches and threw an open handed strike to her extended shoulder.
At the same time, he produced a throwing knife which knocked the chair out
from under Seki.

	Caught offguard by the sudden attack, Megumi flew forward into a
rather surprised Seki.  Their lips met as Megumi ended up pinning him to
the ground.  She froze for a second and both their eyes went wide.

	Kune couldn't help himself and started laughing which broke her
from her trance.  She jumped up like she was on fire and gave Kune a knock
over the head.  "What the hell are you laughing at?!?"

	"Ow.  It's just that he's got a point.  We're all even now."

	Megumi was practically red, either from anger or embarresment.  She
let out a brief scream and grabbed Kune by the arm.  "That's it, we're
going!"

	She dragged Kune along a couple steps and turned back to face Xian.
She let out another muffled scream and walked off in a huff.  Kune waved
and gave the thumbs up sign as Megumi dragged him into the distance.

	The crowd dissapated as quickly as it had formed.  Midori skated
around to face Xian.  "How can I ever thank you sir."

	"I didn't do it because of you," he said still rather annoyed.  She
began to lean towards Xian, who began to lean backwards.  He shook his head
curtly.  "No thank you."

	"But I insist."

	Xian studied her for a second, and then stopped her forward
momentum by placing a finger on her forehead.  "No means no."

	Thankfully a voice from inside called out.  "Large ham and
pineapple for the Kuno estate!"

	"Your order's up."

	It was Midori's turn to be annoyed.  Through clenched teeth she
skated back.  "Another time perhaps."

	Xian watched her go.  "I doubt it."

	With everything back to normal he looked to the spot Seki was
frozen to in a comatose state.  Xian sighed and picked him up.  "I'm sorry
about that Seki, I should have asked you first."

	Seki wiped his face a couple of times and looked over to Xian, who
was completely holding him up.  "Wha?"

[...]

Chapter 3 - Happy Hunting

[...]

	A scream pierced the night, femanine in pitch.  It was enough to
wake the entire Saotome household.  Hurried footsteps would follow, Ranma
and Akane both rushed to the bath where their oldest daughter had gone just
a few moments prior.

	Akane nearly took the door off as she slammed it open.  She caught
a glimse of the destruction before she had to dodge an oncoming rinse
bucket.  Ranma was less fortunate and took it in the face, going down in a
soaking mess.

	Her second look confirmed what she thought she saw.  The ancient
master, alive and up to his old tricks.  Megumi thankfully had a towel
wrapped around her body and was busily throwing objects like the place was
on fire.

	Although her daughter seemed to be holding her own, Akane decided
to end things while they still had a bathroom.  "Oh Happosai..."

	The old man's eyes lit up when he spotted her.  He easily dodged a
thrown sink and made a leap for Akane, who was dressed in a night robe.
Just as he got within a couple of feet she threw out her fist which
impacted squarely with his bald head.

	Megumi was the first to react as the old man fell to the floor.
She tried to catch her breath and turned to her mother.  "You know this
pervert mom?"

	Akane sighed.  "Yes, he trained your grandparents and father in the
martial arts."

	It took a second for the recognition to sink in, she had been
warned years ago to avoid even the mention of his name.  "You mean this is
Master Happosai?!?"

	"Not quite what you were expecting?"

	"Well I always pictured him to be.. well taller I suppose.. and not
so.. so.."

	"Perverse?"

	"Yeah!"

[...]

	A lone figure wrapped his cloak closer to his body and stepped from
the shadows of the Saotome household.  It appeared that things were under
control, and he had other things to do this night.

	He'd seen the small figure of Happosai hopping the fence and
sneaking into the bath area.  It seemed like the right thing to do,
following the old man.  From his vantage point he had gotten a better view
of Megumi then the Happosai had gotten from his hiding place.

	He averted his eyes and nearly fell into a bush.  He wanted to rush
in but he was torn by his sense of modesty.  Those extra seconds were all
the time Akane needed to diffuse the situation.

	He could hear them restraining the old one.  A quick look confirmed
that everyone except for Happosai was okay.  He let out a sigh of relief
and leaped over the fence and then to a nearby rooftop.

[...]

	Seki pushed his way backwards into the kitchen, his hands full of
flour bags.  He didn't remember leaving the backdoor open, but he wasn't
going to complain.  He was startled as the bags were yanked out of his
hands.

	"What took so long?!?  I wait for you long time."  Spice threw the
flour over to a stack in the corner.  "I sent Xian out on errand so we can
be alone."

	"Excuse me?"  A silly grin crept onto Seki's face.

	Spice pulled him to seat.  "Have you found a girl yet?"

	"Oh," he regained his composure.

	Spice leaned in close and lowered her voice.  "How about pizza
girl?  I hear she friendly."

	"Midori?  She's been trying to get him ever since they met.  He's
already shot her down twice," Seki sighed with disinterest.

	"What?!?  So soon?!?"  She wimpered, still trying to keep her voice
low.

	Both turned to the sudden entrance of Xian through the other
kitchen door.  All three froze for a moment and just stared dumbly at each
other.  Seki and Spice at Xian, and Xian at Seki and Spice.

	Xian suddenly smiled and put his hands up in front of him.  "Sorry,
I didn't know.  I'll just leave you two alone."

	Seki and Spice froze like deer caught in headlights.

	Xian backed up towards the dining area with his hands still up.
"In fact, it's a lovely evening I'll just go for another walk.  No need to
get up."

[...]

	Kune looked around for a landmark without success.  Occasionally
he'd recognize a store or a building but it wasn't much help since he
didn't know how they related to each other.  He walked past the Dojo once,
but he decided against disturbing the Saotomes past sunset.

	He looked up to see if the moon or stars would be of some help.  It
was overcast unfortunately, but out of the corner of his eye he spotted
motion on one of the rooftops.  That meant a martial artist, and he knew
every martial artist in Nerima.  More importantly, all of them knew him and
where he lived.

	He made a quick leap to a rooftop and chased after the shadowy
figure.  He lost him at least a dozen times, but it wasn't hard to spot
someone on a rooftop.  Try as he might he couldn't catch up with him.

	After what seemed like hours, he got within hearing range.  "Hey,
wait up."

	The stranger turned at the sound of his voice.  In the darkness
Kune couldn't make out the face but he knew he'd seen it before.  The
stranger froze for a moment, allowing Kune to get even closer.

	Without warning the figure gave him a quick nod and lept backwards
off his building, his cloak trailing shortly behind.  Kune reached the spot
the stranger jumped from in a matter of seconds, but it was too late.
There was no trace of him anywhere on the streets below.

	Kune took a seat on the rooftop and closed his eyes.  Something
felt wrong, and he wasn't about to leave until he figured out what it was.

[...]

	Xian lept down from his window.  It was a short drop to the alley,
he did it on a nightly basis when the others slept.  He loved the night, it
gave him piece of mind.  He loved to wander the empty streets, it left him
alone with his thoughts.

	Everything was so much simpler at night.

	He walked a few blocks before he heard it.  The sound was
unmistakable, he walked a few more paces before sidestepping.  He smiled
briefly as Midori flew past him, she caught herself on a telephone pole and
plotted a slower return course as she did a 180.

	Xian sighed and continued on his path.

	Midori circled her pray slowly.  "What?  No kiss?  No hug?"

	"No," he continued without slowing.

	"Oh foo!  You're no fun anymore Xian."

	"Never said I was."

	"What is it?  Is there something wrong with me?"  She said, pushing
her chest forward for emphasis.

	Xian let out a breath and stepped around her.  "It would be too
hard for me to explain."

	Midori brought her skates to a rest.  "Damnit Xian, what do I have
to do for you?  Beg?"

	He continued to walk, leaving her behind.  "It wouldn't help."

	"ARGHH!!!"  Midori watched him walk away calmly.  She could feel
something snap within her.  "That's it, we're doing this my way."

	Like a flash she cut off his path and wrapped her arms around him,
pinning his arms to his sides.  Like any other student of the Anything Goes
School of martial arts, it wasn't right or wrong.  It was winning or losing.

	She brought her lips in to Xian, but they stopped millimeters away
from touching his.  It was the sudden jab to her rear she felt first.  The
paralyzation hit her instantly, it was like all the energy left her body at
once.

	Her grip around Xian went limp as she began to fade back.  Xian put
an arm around her waist and another at her back.  He held her there briefly
and looked into her eyes as he set her down against a wall.  "It'll wear
off soon, but don't bother trying to follow me."

	With that he brushed some stray hair from her face, and poked the
tip of her nose.  Satisfied, he smiled and stood back up.  His smile faded
as he looked around for a few seconds, apparantly searching for something.
Without warning he jumped to a nearby rooftop and vanished.

	She would have called to him but she couldn't find the power.  The
only thing she could even feel was the itch at the end of her nose.  She
decided the first thing she would do when she could was go home and take a
very cold shower, right after she scratched the hell out of her nose.

[...]

	Happosai sat quietly bound in robes, chains, and an undersized
sweater being used as a straightjacket.  Akane shrank an entire laundry
load the week Ranma dissappeared, but they didn't bother to throw it out.

	He smoked his pipe and tried to look as unobtrusive as possible.
He was seated at the head of the table.  Ranma, Akane, and Megumi sat
nearby and kept all eyes on the old man.

	As head of the household, Ranma felt an obligation to say
something.  "I thought you were dead."

	He let out an old man's laugh, meaty and gutteral.  "You've yet to
be that lucky, Ranma my boy!  Now untie your old master and break out the
good sake."

	"Not this time old man.  We need to get some things straight first."

	"What is there to get straight?  I was just passing through town
and I thought I'd pay my favorite student a visit."

	"By attacking my daughter?"

	"Ahh, Megumi is it?  She looks so much like you Ranma my boy, I
couldn't help myself.  I should have known though, you always had bigger.."
Happosai let his eyes wander over Ranma's ample female chest.

	All three Saotome's crossed their arms in unison.  "But what are
you doing in town?"

	"I'm looking for another student of mine.  She dissapeared one
morning after I'd had a bit too much to drink.  I've been so worried about
her.  Never have I ever found a student so much like myself," Happosai
sighed wistfully.  "But with such style, such grace, such a nice set of.."
he sighed blissfully.

[...]

	Midori sat quietly, not that she had much of a choice.  She wiggled
her nose as best she could, but the itch wouldn't go away.  Most of the
paralyzation had faded around her face.  She still couldn't move or scratch.

	She could talk again, but as far as she could tell there was no one
to talk to.  She tried in vain to touch her nose with the tip of her
tongue, but she didn't have the strength to make it.

	"Need help?"

	Midori tried to look towards the voice, but he stood just out of
her range of vision.  The voice had a familiar accent to it.  She worried
briefly about enlisting the aid of a stranger, but she was already fighting
a losing battle.  If the stranger did try anything funny, it would give her
the energy she lacked before it got out of hand.  "Could you scratch my
nose please?"

	She felt relief as a hand came down and scratched her nose.  "It
wasn't entirely your fault, it was a hard attack to counter."

	"You saw that?"

	"I was around."

	She considered for a moment.  "Do I know you?"

	"After a fashion."

	A man of mystery, she was intrigued.  "Can I at least see your
face, so I can thank you properly?"

	The voice was silent a moment as if studying her or considering
something.  "You're very beautiful," he paused.  "But also very dangerous."

	"It would make me feel so much better and it feels like it's going
to rain soon.  You wouldn't leave a poor defenseless girl out in the cold
would you?"

	Realizing the weather for the first time, the stranger bent in low
and spoke in hurried tones.  "You'll get home safely," with that he bent
low enough to give her a kiss on the forehead.  He took a step back and
vanished.

	Midori felt some of the energy returning to her body.  By the time
she could scan around, he was gone.  She looked around in vain for him.
"You call that a kiss?!?"

	A voice returned from the darkness.  "When next we meet."

	"Promise?"  She practically screamed into the night.

	"You have my word," it came back.

	"But who are you?"

	Silence.

[...]

	Xian crept in silently through his open window, his pullover
flapping in the breeze.  With his father in China he really didn't need to,
but he couldn't think of a reason not to either.  A voice penetrated the
darkness, giving him a start.

	"You're back early."

	Xian let out a sigh of relief as he saw the outline of Seki
standing by the door.  The throwing knife already in his hand he opted to
throw at the target over his desk.  It hit a few inches from the target and
imbedded itself in the speckled wall.  "It looked like rain."

	Seki was taken aback slightly.  "I thought you liked rainy days."

	Xian finished coming in and closed the window behind him.  "I like
to watch them.  I don't like to be in them."

	Seki shrugged it off and took a seat.  "Let's talk."

	Xian walked over to his desk and removed some of the various
projectiles stuck in it.  He shook his head sadly and laid them across his
desk to be sorted later.  "What's on your mind?"

	"You."

	"You don't say," Xian sat on his bed and faced Seki.

	"You're a strange man Xian.  You've turned down the movies with
Noriko and Sakura, you've turned down Midori, and I've seen the kind of
manga you read so I'm pretty sure you're not gay."

	"You're point being?"

	"What's gives?"

	Xian smiled briefly at the irony.  "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

	Seki let out a deflated sigh.  "You know, don't you?  I should have
guessed."

	"Of course I know, how stupid do you think I am?  My sister is
about as subtle as a yeti riding a bull, holding a snake and a crane."

	"A what?"

	"Ancient Chinese saying.  But anyway, to be honest I wasn't
interested in dating before all this came up either.  I guess you could say
I still haven't found what I'm looking for."

	"So much for my chances I guess," Seki leaned back into the chair.

	"If you're so preoccupied with her, why don't you just ask her out?"

	"Who?"  Seki averted his gaze.

	"Please.  We've already established I'm not stupid," Xian waited
for a reply which never came.  "Seki.. let's talk."

[...]